The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-24
A Vast Number of Inquiries Awaiting the Or
ganiZation of the Board and the Announce
ment that 1t Is Ready for Business.
Jay Gould and Mr.. c. NJ. Depew Pleased
with the Presidents Selections.
The Overpowering Style and Sacred Exsiz
siveness Now Prevailing in the War De-
partment-General Washington News
THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION.

Judge Cooley To Be Its Chief-Many Dis
pnted Points Waiting Solution.
Special TO the Irdanapolis journal.
WAsHINGToN, March 23--The organizations Of
the Interstate Commission is expected to be per
fected shortly. The commissions of the mem-
bers were signed by the President to-day, aud
were ready to be sent to them and it is expected
they will meet in Washington in few days aud
organize. and get ready for the delicate and diff
cult duties before them which will begin on the
9Th Of next month. the date on which the inter
state commerce law goes into effect Four If
the commissioners are at their homes, and will
require some time to close up their present husi-
ness affairs. Colonel Morrison, who is in Wash
ington, desires to return to his home and settle
up some personal matters. The delay on the
part of the commissioners in getting together
and organizing is not as serious as the delaY
which it is feared will grow out of the selection
Of quarters and clerks, and the per
formance of vast amount of cerre-
spondence before the commission can take
intelligent action on any of the problems that
are sure to be thrust upon it. The gravest aud
most fundamental questions have arisen under
the new law, and upon these it is of the utmost
Importance that the commission should clearly
define its position before proceeding with its
work. Two members of the commission, at
least have probably, as yet. given very little
attention to these questions. The questions
ferred to are of the most radical character. In
the first place, it is disputed whether the law
applies to shipments made from one point 10 au-
other within State, or only to those from one
State to another. The construction of the clause,
under like circumstances and conditions" the
clause in reference to long and short hauls, anc
other phrases used in the act and provisions
made by it. are so variously construed by con-
stitutional lawyers that one construction
would reduce the effects of the new
law to the most unimpor;ant charsc-
ter, while another would lead to a
complete reversal of commercial conditions and
transportation methods, aud effect every branch
Of trade and every interest throughout the
United States. While it is generally believed
that the commission is so constituted as to Sc
cure conservative rulings on these questions il
is conceded that many points of vast impor-
tance are in doubt.
The bill appropriates 800, 900 for all the ex-
penses of the commission for the first year of its
existence, while other expenses incidental to it
are to be met out of other appropriations for tho
Interior Department and the courts. The sal
aries of FIVE commissioners at $500 each, and
of the secretary at $500. and other stipulated
expenses, leave about $50, 900 10 be expended for
assistance, clerical service, etc. This represents
large clerical and official force to be appointed
in such manner, at such rates, and for such du-
ties as the commission sees fit, but subject in
| every case to the approval of the Secretary of
is1,1 -
reau will undoubtedly be rapidly or
ganized. Information has been received
that thousands of communications, queries.
complaints, ETC., are ready to pour in upon the
commission when ever it is ready to receive
| them. A gentleman we'll qualified to speak,
recently told the President that house full Of
such documents was ready for mailing as soon
| as the commission organized.
Mr. Morrison said to night that he hoped and
expected that the other commissioners would
reach Washington in day two. so they
could organize aud get ready for work as soon
| as possible, as time precious. He could
not OF course, in advance of meeting his col
leagues. with certainty, say what questions
would first engage tho attention Of
| the commission. The disputed law
questions would probably be taken up
at once and as an interpre citation was
reached and agreed upon in each case it would
be publicly announced. Mr. Morrison spoke
| confidently Of the bcnefcent results that would
grow out of the enforcement of the new law
! and If the other members of the commission,
when they reach Washington, are as eager for
! the fray as he appears to be, it will not be many
days before the commission is hard at work.
| 1t is understood tonight that Judge Cooley,
| one of the Republican members of the commits
| sion, will be made president Of it. and that this
| will be in accordance with President Clevelaad's
wishes as indicated in his naming him first on
the commission and appointing him for the long
! est term, viz: six years.
| Senator Edmunds, in an interview, spoke
| highly Of Mr.. Walker, the Vermont member Of
the commission, whom he said he know thor
oughly Mr.. Walker, he said. has had consider
able experience a State legislator in dealing
| with railroad questions He man of ex-
traordinary ability, ine scholar, man OF lit
| erary attainments, vigorous industrious and
| honest ''all the way through" and strong man
| in every respect. When questioned about the
report that Mr.. Walker was appointed upon Mr..
| Edmunds's Recommendation, the Vermont Sena-
tor replied: II don't recommend anybody; I
sometimes give testimony as to the fitness Of
people for public duties. but don't racom-
| mend"
| A telegram from Lansing, Mich, SAYS: Judge
Cooley has written to his in this city, in
forming HIM that he recently received an auto
graph letter from President Cleveland strongly
urging him to accept a place upon tho Interstate
| Commission. Judge Cooley intmates that, ic
Difference to the Presidents earnest wishos hs
will accept the appointmenk Although tho sal.